Dear friends and comrades, a short note to you on the eve of International Workers' Day

[tango-tee]

here in Germany.

Cities are gearing up for the annual clashes between left and right.

This evening, the first demonstrators in our town are marching along the street I live on, which is a major thoroughfare. They are mostly young people but there are also lots of older folks, all chanting and carrying banners against fascism, against homophobia. So far, all is very peaceful.

Tomorrow, on the first day of May, things will be different and there is a good chance for some serious clashes, same as every year. Labor unions will assemble their members on the main square in town, there will be speeches and the Internationale will be sung, and I will remember in gratitude how my grandfather - born in 1892 - fought for workers' rights so many decades ago. I will also remember my grandmother, Red Clara, who was sick with leukemia in the 1930s and crawled out of her bed to grab hold of the swastika flag well-meaning neighbors had hung from her window on the occasion of a Nazi parade, and raised the red flag instead. She was a woman of courage.

My country brought untold misery, death and destruction on fellow human beings, fueled by hatred, hubris and ignorance.

This evening, watching young and old together marching along the street, fighting the good fight in this particular country brings hope to my heart.

We are all in this together. Let's not forget this.

Sisters and brothers, with love and in solidarity on International Workers' Day

t-t

[suffragette]

1. From the Northwest to you

In Solidarity!


http://kuow.org/program.php?id=20134

Northwest Groups Prepare For Immigration Rallies

Liz Jones
04/30/2010
Saturday marks a decade of May Day marches in Seattle. Every year, crowds of people rally around the issues of immigration and worker's rights. Organizers see this year as a crucial crossroads, as legislation takes shape in Washington D.C., and a new law in Arizona sparks a national debate.

In Seattle, the main group behind the rallies is called El Comite, or the Committee for Immigration Reform and Social Justice.

Also, I read this today and it makes some great points. For those who want to know more about the origins of this day, there is more at the site. :
http://www.ueunion.org/uenewsupdates.html?news=311

2006: WORKERS RECLAIM MAY DAY

On May 1, 2006, immigrant workers to the United States revived May Day as an American working class holiday, a day to demonstrate for justice. Several million immigrant workers in the U.S. participated in “the Great American Boycott,” refusing to go to work and joining in mass demonstrations. May Day 2006, and other mass demonstrations earlier last spring, arose out of protest against HR 4437, a bill that was passed by the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives in December 2005 and would have made all undocumented immigrant workers felons, and imposed stiff penalties on those who knowingly employ or assist undocumented immigrants. This bill never passed the Senate, but the battle over immigration continues.

Those who are hostile to immigrants complain that they don’t know the language, customs and history of the U.S. But school children in Mexico learn about Haymarket and the history of the eight-hour movement in the United States, while school kids in Chicago don’t. Mexican immigrants arrive here knowing May 1 as “the Day of the Chicago Martyrs,” and immigrants from other countries know that history too, while most Americans – probably even the majority of union members – know nothing of it. If immigrant workers are able to teach us something about our own labor history, and our own lost working class traditions, they will have brought us a great gift.

[tango-tee]

7. Solidarity to you too, comrade!

When I compare childhood stories with my friends, I always tell them that my grandpa taught me how to waltz and sing.

Here's the singing portion: When I was in kindergarten and we had to each sing a song in front of the other kids, the only song I knew was the Internationale (thanks to Grandpa). There I was: "Völker, hört die Signale! Auf zum letzten Gefecht, die Internationale erkämpft das Menschenrecht!" This was not well received, coming from a five-year-old.

Still grinning a really shit-eating grin, remembering that.

[suffragette]

11. Guten Tag to you

Lived in Karlsruhe for awhile, though I've forgotten most of my limited German vocabulary.

I can almost hear you singing now :)

[tango-tee]

15. Guten Morgen, suffragette!

Karlsruhe... US Army?

Problem to this day is that I couldn't carry a tune even if it was in a bucket. Thinking about my singing the Internationale at the top of my lungs and totally off-key way back when, woooo-hooooo! :+

[suffragette]

31. Guten Morgen, tango-tee!

Morning for me, but evening now for you.

Hope your May Day went well.

Yes, I was stationed at Neureut Kaserne in Karlsruhe and spent a few wonderful years in Germany.

I sing off-key and tend to swoop a bit high or low at the wrong times, so I'd be glad to sing with you.

Here's a song for today that was co-written by someone from my home, Seattle, and one I always sing today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8Kxq9uFDes&feature=PlayList&p=2028C1A3CBBEEA07&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=2

More on Earl Robinson, who co-wrote "Joe Hill"
http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&File_Id=2029

[tango-tee]

33. Beautiful, simply beautiful.

It's early a.m. in Germany and I'm sitting here with my morning coffee, wiping away tears after listening to this beautiful song.

It will stay with me for a long time to come, and I'm going to share it with my friends and coworkers on Monday. Thank you so much, suffragette!

[miscsoc]

2. keep it lit

and your granny ruled

[tango-tee]

4. She was one tough lady, from what I've been told.

Red Clara died when Dad was only five years old. He was the youngest of six children and so I've had to rely on what the older aunts and uncles have told me about her.

There is only one photo of Granny. She was petite, almost frail. But then, they say that dynamite comes in small packages, too. She must have been one kick-ass woman.

Thanks, miscsoc! Let's keep the fires burning!

[blindpig]

3. Solidarity...

it's all we got.

My grandmother, 1st gen German American, supported the Bund and was viscously anti Semitic. Go figure.

k&r

[tango-tee]

6. Amazing, isn't it?

Where we finally end up *because* of our family, or *despite* of it. Indeed, go figure.

When I was a little girl in the late 1950s, I remember hearing murmurings in our family and neighborhood of another family only a few houses away, where a sister had turned in her brother to the Gestapo. He was never heard from again. These people, after the war ended, were good and respectable neighbors, good citizens. No mention was ever made of the disappeared brother, because no one in the neighborhood wanted to stir up any s**t. Everyone wanted to forget, wanted to pretend all of these atrocities had been perpetrated by someone else. When I became a little older it was like wandering around in a fog at times. So many lies.

Solidarity, my friend.

[earth mom]

5. It's horrible that this country has lost that same fighting spirit to fight for the working class.

Kudos to you and your country! :applause:

[tango-tee]

8. Earth mom, I'm not sure it's been completely lost.

I agree that it's definitely been submerged for three reasons. And those reasons are me, myself and I. What's in it for me, me, me.

However, given the "right" set of circumstances, I truly hope that this fighting spirit will rise again. We have no other choice.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. "Workers of the world, Unite!" is, actually, a pretty good idea. K&R

I'll be humming the Internationale on May Day.

[tango-tee]

10. I'll be thinking of you

as I'm singing along with all my union buddies (off-key, unfortunately!!!)

In solidarity and love, my friend!

t-t

[MiddleFingerMom]

12. Kick for some incredible stories... and a reminder...

.
...that We the People are worldwide -- that though we may be
separated by thousands upon thousands of miles, we are all
standing arm-in-arm, united in our efforts for the good of
We the People.
.
Thank you for this, tango-tee.
.

[tango-tee]

13. And thank you....

:pals:

[kentuck]

14. K & R

Celebrate the Workers !!!

[tango-tee]

17. Dear kentuck, thinking of the fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico

whose livelihood is at stake (not even taking into account the other ramifications of this horrible disaster), the dead miners in Tennessee and their families, the workers whose jobs have been outsourced or eliminated thanks to corporate greed...

At times I want to despair.

Solidarity, dear friend!

[kentuck]

19. We stand together.

Thanks.

[JanMichael]

16. My birthday is in early May. I've always wanted it to be May 1.

I think I'll start that this year.

People should unite to support and care for each other in opposition to the exploitative systems that we all typically endure.

Workers (which are most of everyone everywhere!) should Unite!

[tango-tee]

20. Well, in that case: Happy Birthday, JanMichael!

And we have a great place to exchange ideas, fight like crazy, make up again, and feel at home right here on DU.

Here's to you, dear brand-new May 1st birthday baby :party: :toast: :bounce: :hi: :loveya:

[mdmc]

28. Happy Birthday!

May Day!

[Union Yes]

18. Solidarity! We need to enact Employee Free Choice Act in America now!

Thank you union sis for this fine OP.

:fistbump:

[tango-tee]

22. Right back atcha, dear Union Yes brother!

It's almost 8 a.m. over here. Time to get my sneakers on, grab my banner and make my way to the market square.

With much love and :fistbump: in return,

t-t

[Union Yes]

24. Aw bless your heart sis, good vibes to you,

Shout down some capitalist swine for us rational Americans!

:fistbump:

Protesting those bastards warms my heart!

:hug:

[tango-tee]

27. Getting ready to get out there...

...keeping you and all of our sisters and brothers in my heart.

We can do it. Don't give in and don't give up.

[Mojeoux]

21. God Bless the "Red Claras" of the world!!!!

If only I could be sure I would have the guts.

Workers Of the World Unite!

I'm not to keen on modern day "communism," but UNIONS?

God Bless the Unions!!

Remember the blood spilled for human rights by Unions!

And your story of your Grandmother is a treasure, thank you.
MJ

[tango-tee]

23. If only Dad were still alive to see the name "Red Clara" mentioned here on DU.

Dad always told me I reminded him so much of his mom. Not as far as looks were concerned, but by having a sense of justice and being terribly stubborn. When I reached my teenage years and became interested in politics, to Dad I was the one to carry the torch and keep Granny's memory alive. To me, this has always been an honor... although an honor I'm not sure I can live up to.

In the 1920s and especially 1930s, being a Socialist and standing up for what one believed in was dangerous. It required courage. And Granny, this tiny, frail little lady suffering from leukemia, *had* courage.

You've given me lots of food for thought. Thank you so much :pals:

[nadinbrzezinski]

25. And let's rmeember the martyrs of the Haymarket

For those here in the US who don't remember WHY it is MAY Day...

[tango-tee]

26. Dear nadinbrzezinski,

You are one of my very favorite posters here on DU.

In friendship and love... t-t

PS: Is it okay if I PM you?

[nadinbrzezinski]

29. Sure it is fine

have a good and safe mayday

[mdmc]

30. ..

[Greyhound]

32. And an eventful IWD to you as well. K&R. n/t